The emergence of high-definition, professionally-crafted, and user-specific videos has brought about a paradigm shift in the modern digital landscape.
However, irrespective of the templates, texts, animations, and editing tactics that you might employ to create a perfect video, in the absence of synergy between its audio and visual elements, your video would prove to be nothing but an unproductive and fruitless venture.
This is because both audio and visuals are integral parts of the entire video production process, which don't just compliment but also supplement each other.
A voice-over is the ideal way to form a connecting thread between the audio-visual constituents of a video.
Navigation of Contents
What Is A Voice Over?
A voiceover, in simple words, is a form of commentary which plays off-camera and interestingly explains the on-screen occurrences.
The primary aim of a voice over is to stimulate the viewer's auditory senses so that the content of your video becomes more relatable and memorable to them. It also functions as the fundamental element which binds the essentials of your video into a credible and stable structure.
For most practical purposes, voice overs are read from pre-prepared scripts and used in conjunction with dialogue, text, music, and other sounds effects. However, they can also be sometimes utilized on a standalone basis.
Therefore, as a prospective video maker, if you too are planning to deliver an authoritative voice-over, here are 5 quick tips and tricks that you can easily employ to lend your videos a personal touch.
Carry A Persona
Close your eyes and imagine a voice that is trying to get through to you. Would you be inclined to follow it if the voice sounds completely robotic? Or would you prefer that the voice is more soothing, comforting, and human?
Of course, you'd choose the latter! And that is precisely the case with voice overs, too.
Instead of getting your voice over artist to read from a non-organic, dreaded script, let them use the natural flow of their voice. Get them to carry a distinctive persona which the audience can easily understand and relate to.
For example, if you're shooting a Christmas video, use a voice over that emulates Santa Claus. This will lend a touch of liveliness and excitement to your video while breaking through its shackles of monotony.
Manage Your Tempo
In real life, some people talk too slow, and others talk too fast. However, this is one characteristic that you just can not replicate in your voice over.
While preparing for a voice-over, you will have to find the perfect spot between fast and slow and thereby manage your tempo accordingly.
This is so because when you speak too fast, your audience is not able to clearly understand you. They might either miss out on your words or not comprehend your subject matter. In contrast, if you speak too slow, your audience is going to simply get bored!
It may happen that, despite the best of your efforts, you haven't been able to speak with a well-paced tempo. If that's the case, you can seek the assistance of digital tools, such as a promo video maker online free without watermark. These online editing tools enable instant voice-over editing, polishing, and improvement.
Talk, Don't Speak
The words ‘talking' and ‘speaking' almost sound interchangeable – the truth is, they are not. Speaking implies reading something out tediously while talking essentially means using your voice, expressions, gestures, and body language to convey a specific message.
When recording a voice over, make sure that you talk to your audience, rather than speak to them. Even though nobody is actually watching you, begin talking into the microphone just as you would if you were around an actual person. This activity will help your narration flow naturally.
Try to give your audience the impression that you are having a face-to-face conversation with them. This is the only credible approach, using which you will be able to evoke an actionable response.
Warm It Up
The fact that you have a pre-designed script does not mean that you have to read it right when you are recording your voice! You will have to go through it over and over again. By reading it multiple times, you can get the hang of what's in store for you.
Warming up your voice by reading the script beforehand can help you figure out what can work the best for you and your audience. You can determine your intonation, your projection, your volume, and your pacing based on what it is that you actually want to accomplish.
For example, if you're shooting a product explainer, you will need to be slow and concise. But, if you intend to create an elevator pitch, you will have to be persuasive and quick! Every single word you utter will lend your video a different value.
Learn To Emphasize
Learn how to emphasize the most important sections of your script. Think about the key points that you want to communicate through your content. Do you want your audience to think that you're optimistic about the future, or do you merely intend to narrate a story to them?
Based on what your objectives are, start emphasizing words that harbor the potential to let your audience empathize with you. Use your words as a way to help them understand how you feel.
Not only would this enable you to elicit a desirable response from your audience, but it would also turn your video into a dynamic piece of art.
The Way Forward
As times change, the use of voice-overs in making professional videos will begin to hold much more credence than it does today.
From advertisements and elevator pitches to product explainers and social media posts, voice-overs will breach every single fortress and will thus, start to be extensively used across marketing, sales, education, training, entertainment, and communication sectors.
You can work with a customized voice editing software or the best youtube video editor to highlight relevant information in your video. The key to improving customer experience is to find a voice-over talent and add value to your visual content.